Low-temperature thermochronology of francolite: Insights into timing of Dead Sea Transform motion

Abstract

Cambrian siliciclastic sequences along the Dead Sea Transform (DST) margin in southern Israel and southern Jordan host both detrital fluorapatite [D-apatite] and U-rich authigenic carbonate-fluorapatite (francolite) [A-apatite]. D-apatite and underlying Neoproterozoic basement apatite yield fission-track (FT) data reflecting Palaeozoic–Mesozoic sedimentary cycles and epeirogenic events, and dispersed (U–Th–Sm)/He (AHe) ages. A-apatite, which may partially or completely replace D-apatite, yields an early Miocene FT age suggesting formation by fracturing, hydrothermal fluid ascent and intra-strata recrystallisation, linked to early DST motion. The DST, separating the African and Arabian plates..